Mini Keg Usage, Maintenance & Party Star Deluxe Part 1

[wheazy_joe]

My fingers are small enough to hook that 'bit' out but both sonnal (i think) and robs says it should come out with the rinse water. Just make sure you open the tap when draining out the water through the bung hole

That was my point MyQul, my kegs don't have taps (other than the party star tap of course!)

 

[MyQul]

That was my point MyQul, my kegs don't have taps (other than the party star tap of course!)

Ah, that may be a bit of a problem. Can you get your finger into the bung hole? Before I worked out my 'hooking' technique, this first time I had a go at trying to get the 'bit' out I couldn't for the life of me do it. In frustration I chewed some chewing gum stuck it to the end of my finger then just 'speared' the 'bit' out. It worked like charm first time. Perhaps blue tack would do the same job if you didn't want to use gum

 

[Motorhomebrew]

Rob, thanks for these four "how to" guides, very helpful. I have a couple of queries if you don't mind:

1. I have the grey bungs you referred to, do these need lubed and what's the best way to remove these particular bungs from the keg?

2. Can you give a brief how to on use of the CO2? Should this be turned on as soon as you start drawing from the keg or wait a couple of pints? Turn up full or half way etc?

Thanks again!

I'm glad this threw is being well received:)
First off treat all bungs the same buddy. Like I said I never had a problem with carbonation when I didn't Vaseline the bung but its good practise just in case. Now the gas bit. Put your gas cylinder in the tap with the tap knob on off. Tap into your keg and before you turn your gas on start to pour a pint. Their will be enough pressure in the keg for at least half a pint if not a full pint. Then when you see that the pressure has fallen turn your gas on. When your keg is around half full when you turn your gas on if you wait and listen you get this really cool sound of the gas seeping in. I was left the first time I heard this with a Jeremy Clarkson grin on my face. Anyway you'll know how much gas to apply its not hard. You'll just know. After iv poured a pint I turn my gas off.

 

[wheazy_joe]

Ah, that may be a bit of a problem. Can you get your finger into the bung hole? Before I worked out my 'hooking' technique, this first time I had a go at trying to get the 'bit' out I couldn't for the life of me do it. In frustration I chewed some chewing gum stuck it to the end of my finger then just 'speared' the 'bit' out. It worked like charm first time. Perhaps blue tack would do the same job if you didn't want to use gum

I have these kegs:

http://www.leyland-home-brew.co.uk/easy-kegmini-keg-783-p.asp

They are designed to use with the Party Star tap so there must be a way of getting the wee bit back out. But I foresee it is going to be a bloody nightmare and I'll end up sawing the keg in half!!!!

 

[Motorhomebrew]

It'll come buddy. Swill your keg with the rinse water. I have a couple of those kegs too.

 

[MyQul]

I have these kegs:

http://www.leyland-home-brew.co.uk/easy-kegmini-keg-783-p.asp

They are designed to use with the Party Star tap so there must be a way of getting the wee bit back out. But I foresee it is going to be a bloody nightmare and I'll end up sawing the keg in half!!!!

Those are the ones I have too but I haven't got a party star tap and just use the little red pull out tap at the bottom of the keg. When it's empty fill with water open the red tap and the bung bit 'should' come out with the water

 

[wheazy_joe]

Those are the ones I have too but I haven't got a party star tap and just use the little red pull out tap at the bottom of the keg. When it's empty fill with water open the red tap and the bung bit 'should' come out with the water

No sorry, those are NOT the kegs I have d'oh! The ones I have definitely do not have an integral tap. Just one hole at the top to fit the bung. Anyway, I'm sure I will find a way to get the bit back out.

 

[MyQul]

Btw anyone know what this is?

http://www.leyland-home-brew.co.uk/beer-protector-with-co2-injector-1499-p.asp

Is it a bit like the party star tap but not a tap, injecting C02 in the beer but you need to use the red gravity tap at the bottom of the keg instead?

 

[Motorhomebrew]

Btw anyone know what this is?

http://www.leyland-home-brew.co.uk/beer-protector-with-co2-injector-1499-p.asp

Is it a bit like the party star tap but not a tap, injecting C02 in the beer but you need to use the red gravity tap at the bottom of the keg instead?

Their for if you don't use a tap. And you use the internal tap to draw from I think. That will put pressure into the system and keep it fresh. You'll just be using the internal tap

 

[MyQul]

Their for if you don't use a tap. And you use the internal tap to draw from I think. That will put pressure into the system and keep it fresh. You'll just be using the internal tap

Thats what I kind of thought. I was going to buy the party star tap but this C02 injector is half the price. I'm quite happy with the little red gravity tap so if this does a similar job to the party star in that it adds carbonation when the natural carbonation from the priming sugar has gone I think I might get the C02 injector instead

 

[Leon103]

Great right up and just what I needed as I begin my mini keg experience.

 

[wheazy_joe]

Thats what I kind of thought. I was going to buy the party star tap but this C02 injector is half the price. I'm quite happy with the little red gravity tap so if this does a similar job to the party star in that it adds carbonation when the natural carbonation from the priming sugar has gone I think I might get the C02 injector instead

Interesting bit of kit, oh well I've got the party star tap now so hey ho!

Rob, could you give a wee bit of info on using the co2? Should it be injected right from the start and at full power?

 

[Motorhomebrew]

Thats what I kind of thought. I was going to buy the party star tap but this C02 injector is half the price. I'm quite happy with the little red gravity tap so if this does a similar job to the party star in that it adds carbonation when the natural carbonation from the priming sugar has gone I think I might get the C02 injector instead

your choice. But MyQul for a measly £18 more you can have a Party Star Deluxe. It finishes off a keg beautifully

 

[Motorhomebrew]

Interesting bit of kit, oh well I've got the party star tap now so hey ho!

Rob, could you give a wee bit of info on using the co2? Should it be injected right from the start and at full power?

Have a look on page 3 of these comments mate. I think iv covered it. I quoted yourself:)

 

[wheazy_joe]

Have a look on page 3 of these comments mate. I think iv covered it. I quoted yourself:)

Cheers Rob, got it now. Yer some man! :

 

[Halfacrem]

Thanks for putting these 'How To's' together! Really good stuff.

I'm tapping my first mini keg this weekend, so looking forward to my first Party Star experience :-)

 

[Motorhomebrew]

Thanks for putting these 'How To's' together! Really good stuff.

I'm tapping my first mini keg this weekend, so looking forward to my first Party Star experience :-)

Looking forward to what you think about it

 

[Leon103]

How long do the co2 canisters last for?

 

[Motorhomebrew]

You can get a keg and a half out of one 16g cylinder. Just make sure the gas tap is switched to off before you take the hole tap out of the empty keg and into the new one

 

[pms67]

your choice. But MyQul for a measly £18 more you can have a Party Star Deluxe. It finishes off a keg beautifully

£18 thats at least 40 pints!!!!
Seriously would there be any difference in the pint/pour between using the party star and the bottom tap both using the co2 cartridges?
Oh,and good threads